Asparagus-buncher.



No. 694,997. Patented Mar. n, |902.

n.1. SCHANCK. AsPAAeus BUNcHEn.

(Application led June 6, 1901.) (No Mode.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

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No. 694,997. Patented Mar. Il, |902.

H. I. SCHANCK.

ASP-ABAGUS. BUANCHER.

(Application flied June 6, 1901.) (No Model.) 2 Shams-Sheet 2,

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY-1. sonANck, E noLMDEL, NEW JERSEY.

A sPARAGUs-BUNCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 694,997, dated March 11, 1902. Application mame 6,1901. serial No. 63,404. No man.;

To @ZZ whom t may concern.-

Beit known that I, HENRY I. SCHANCK, a citizen of the United States, residing and having my post-office address at Holrndel, in the county of Monmouth and State of New Jersey,

. have invented a certain new and useful lmprovement in Asparagus-Bunchers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved machine for launching asparagus; and my object is to provide a simple and cheap device for the purpose and which shall be capable of more eiective, easy, and rapid operation than asparagus-launchers now in use.

The machines for bunching asparagus which are at present on the market employ either twovsets of clamping-jaws, between which the asparagus -stalks are introduced and which are subsequently compressed together to effect the desired pressure on the bunch, or else make use of two compressing-bands, into which the stalks are inserted and which are subsequently contracted radially to effect Vthe pressure. With both of such devices the bunchof asparagus after it has been compressed and tied requires to be removed longitudinally, which operation must be effected with care, because otherwise a part of the delicate heads of the stalks will be injured or actually pulled off. Vith my improved machine two sets of compressingjaws are employed, which may be opened to such an extent as tol free the compressed bunch and permit the latter to be withdrawn laterally, thereby materially facilitating the operation and overcoming any possibility of injury to the asparatus.

In order that the invention may be better understood, attention is directed to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a plan view; Fig. 2, a longitudinal section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a Vertical section through one of the sets of jaws on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4, a section through the operating-lever on the line a 4 of Fig. 1; and Fig. .5, a perspective View of the longitudinally-adjustable set of jaws,

showing the supports and operating devices therefor.

In all of the above views corresponding parts are represented by the same numerals Y of reference.

The main frame comprises the fiat longitudinal members 1 1 and the front and back 55 vertical cross members 2 and 3. The frame ber 3 of the frame is provided with a cast ex- 6o tension 5, formed with a way' on its upper face, in which way is mounted a back plate 7, adapted to be secured iirmly in'position at any point of adjustment by a thumb-screw 8, working in a slot 9 in the extension 5.

10 is a supporting-frame for the front or larger jaws 11, which frame is rigidly secured between thev side members 1 1, and 12 is a corresponding supporting frame for the smaller jaws 13, which frame is adjustable lengthwise of the longitudinal members 1 1 by the engagement of the nuts 14 in slots 15, as will be understood. The supports 10 and 12 and the jawsll and 13 are identical, except, as stated, that the jaws 11 are larger than the jaws 13 and that the frame 12 is adjustable longitudinally, so that a detailed description of one set of jaws applies to both sets. Reference being had, therefore, particularly to Fig. 5, it will be noted that each jaw is pivoted at one'side of the support and within a supplemental supporting-plate 16, which is secured to a lug 17,- cast with the support, as shown. Each jaw is provided with an eX- tension 18, by means of which it is properly operated. l

19 is a bifurcated link which connects the extension 18 of Vone jaw with an operatingshaft 20, and 21 21 are single links connecting the extension 18 of the other jaw of the same 9o set with said operating-shaft, as will be understood. The operating-shaft 2O works in a vertical guide 22 in the frames 10 and 12, as will be understood. Obviously by elevating the operating-shaft 20 both sets of jaws will 95 too v it to be removed longitudinally, as is now the case. It will also be observed that during the compressing operation as the shaft 2O approaches its uppermost limit a powerful toggle effect is produced, permitting a very great pressure to be applied to the bunch by the expenditure of slight energy in the operation of the operating-handle. Preferably each of the jaws is provided with an ejector 23, which when the jaws are opened will be elevated above the top of the frames 10 and 12, as shown, so as to loosen the compressed bunch and permit of its ready removal. The shaft 20 is moved up and down in any suitable way, but preferably by an operating-handle 24, connected to said shaft by links 25. Said handle is split longitudinally, as shown, and straddles a support 26, to which it is pivoted. The support 26 is adjustable lengthwise on and with respect to one of the longitudinal members 1 of the main frame, as shown. If desired, the support 1 may be reinforced and strengthened by an auxiliary frame or brace 27, extending across the machine and adjustably secured to the other longitudinal member, as shown. i

Pivoted to the operating-handle 24 is a pawl 28, which coperates with serrated teeth 29 on the support 26, as shown, so as to lock the handle in different positions of its closing movement, maintaining the bunch under pressure even if the jaws are not brought fully together. The pawl 28 is also provided on its under side with a tooth 30, coperating with a single tooth 31 on the support 26, so as to lock the handle in its elevated position with the jaws opened, as shown, whereby when the asparagus is being placed in position between the jaws the latter will be prevented from closing accidentally. The pawl 28 is normally impelled into engagement with the teeth 29 and 3l by a spring 32, and said pawl is withdrawn from engagement with said teeth bya small lever 33, pivoted to the handle and connected to said pawl by a link 34. Preferably one of the jaws of each set is provided with an adjustable plate 35 at its end, said plate being held in position by a thumbscrew 36, adapted to be engaged with any one of a plurality of openings 37 in said jaw. In this way the plate 35 may be employed to constitute an extension of the jaw, and thereby enable the jaws to receive and operate upon bunches of varying sizes, as will be understood. Each of the larger jaws 11 is provided with an approximately vertical extension 38 for the purpose of guiding the cut-off knife, which may be used for smoothly cutting od the butt-ends of the stalks comprising the compressed bunch; but these extensions may of course be dispensed with and the jaws alone be relied upon for properly guiding the cut-o knife. A block of wood 39 is preferably carried on the front member 2 of the frame to prevent the cut-off knife from coming in contact with metal after it-has passed through the bunch, as will be understood.

'The shaft 2O at its front end is upset, so as to be prevented from moving longitudinally with respect to the links 19 and 21 of the jaws 11 in one direction, while a pinned washer 40, working on the other side of the frame 10, prevents longitudinal movement of said shaft in the opposite direction.

rIt will be seen that the entire construction of the machine is simple and substantial, that double bearings are employed throughout in connection with all the moving parts, and that there are no bolts or projections adjacent tothe jaws for the binding-cords to become accidentally engaged with during the bunching operation.

The operation of the device will be readily understood. The handle 24 is elevated to engage the tooth 30 of the pawl 28 with the single tooth 3l, locking both sets of jaws in their open position. The stalks are now introduced between the jaws and their tops brought up againt the adjusting-plate 7, so as to be evened thereby. The handle 24 is now depressed, elevating the shaft 2O and compressing the jaws tightly together, so as to subject the bunch to the desired pressure. The handle will be locked in its downward position by the engagement of the pawl 2S with one of the teeth 29. The bunch is now tied in the usual way and afterward the butts are trimmed off by a knife, as is common. The handle is now elevated and again locked in its elevated position, fully opening the jaws and permitting the bunch to be removed directly, thereby obviating any possibility of injury to the delicate heads of the stalks.

Having now described my invention, what Iclaim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. In an asparagus-buncher, the combinaL tion with a supporting-frame, of a pair of piv; oted jaws carried by and longitudinally adjustable with respect to saidl frame, a second pair of pivoted jaws carried by said frame, a vertically-movable operating-shaft, a link connecting each jaw to said shaft, and an operating-handle pivoted to the frame and connected to said shaft, substantially as set forth.

2. In an asparagus-buncher, the combination with a supporting-frame, of a pair of pivoted jaws mounted thereon, means for operating said jaws to open the same, and an extension adjustably carried at the end of one of said jaws,- snbstantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In an asparagus-buncher, the combination with a supporting-frame, of a pair of pivoted jaws mounted thereon, means for operating said jaws to open the same, and an ej ector-nger carried by and cooperating with each jaw, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. In an asparagus-buncher, the combinalod tion with a supporting-frame, of two sets of jaws in an open position, substantially as set xo pivoted jaws carried by saidV iframe, a, Vertiforth. cally-movable operating-shaft, links conneot-AV This specification signed and witnessed this lng said shaft with the jaws, an operatingl2bhday of April, 1901.

5 audio pivoted to the frame `and; connected o to said shaft, a pawl carried by said handle' HENRY I' SCHANCK' coperating With ratchet-teeth to look the Vitnosses: jaws in Varying positions of closure, and an JOS; L. DONAHAY,

, auxiliary tooth on the pawl for looking the H. B. CHAMBERS. 

